JASON McAteer remains in the frame as a potential transfer target for resurgent Blackburn Rovers, as Brian Kidd looks for a balanced squad to maintain the Ewood revival, writes PETER WHITE.

The possibilities of a serious move for the versatile McAteer seemed to have cooled.

For, while Rovers have shown a definite interest in the Liverpool and Republic of Ireland player, I understand it was thought that personal terms and the size of his current Anfield pay packet could prove a major stumbling block.

But Rovers chief executive John Williams refuses to rule out any realistic targets as they back the manager in his efforts to reshape the squad and make progress on two fronts.

So another move for McAteer must remain a possibility.

He was back in the Liverpool side at Port Vale yesterday but has not been a regular this season.

With the addition to the Ewood squad of Ashley Ward, who is now available, there is also inevitable speculation that Rovers might be ready to shed a striker.

And Wimbledon, in particular, plus Nottingham Forest are being linked with a bid for Nathan Blake. But there have not been any inquiries so far.

The chief executive added: "We are not in any hurry to sell anyone at this moment in time and, in the short term, we have Chris Sutton injured and Kevin Davies suspended for a game on Saturday."

Meanwhile, Kidd continually - and rightly - stresses that Premiership survival is the Ewood priority.

But he welcomed Saturday's FA Cup win over Charlton with a seriously-depleted team.

Now Rovers have another home tie in the fourth round against First Division leaders and promotion favourites Sunderland to whet the appetite. "It's good to get a home draw but, to be honest, that game is a million miles away at the moment," said Kidd, eager to keep things in perspective.

"I thought the attitude of the players on Saturday was really good, especially considering we had a complete back four out of action.

"We're happy to be at home in the next round but we have more pressing things to think about at the moment and we know the job in hand."

Apart from the defenders he lost and the long-term absentees, the manager was also without skipper Tim Sherwood and striker Nathan Blake.

And he revealed that midfielder Damien Johnson, whose absence from the bench caused some surprise, had picked up a knee injury in training - or he would certainly have been involved.

The manager paid tribute to his patched-up team, saying: "With the way things were, coming off the two games in three days, I knew it was going to be a battle.

"And we knew it was going to be tough. Charlton did well when they came here last time. But I thought the lads did really well considering the changes which were forced on us. "They kept their shape and their discipline.

"Obviously, Dario Marcolin hasn't played for five weeks, Sebastien Perez is the same, having just come off the injury list, and they are short of games.

"Kevin Gallacher's the same, just getting his games in, but they stuck at it.

"You just go out to win a game with whatever you have got, whether you have injuries or suspensions.

"We didn't rest any players, they were genuine injuries.

Tomorrow night's scheduled reserve game away to Nottingham Forest has been postponed because of a fixture clash at the City Ground. A new date will be announced shortly.

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